Former Olympians offer secrets to success

They’ve cycled, swam, and hit their way to Olympic glory. It wasn't easy but now three medalists who made their dreams a reality are sharing their secrets to success.

“Every day is, you know, eat, sleep, train, you know, and do it all over again,” said track cyclist Sarah Hammer, who won two Olympic silver medals in London. “Don’t be afraid to compete with the guys.”

Female athletes only received about 38 percent of prime-time television coverage during the 2010 Winter Olympics. For the 2008 Summer Olympics, it was 46 percent, but three-quarters of that exposure was devoted to gymnastics, swimming, diving, and beach volleyball: sports where women wear bathing suits as uniforms.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett is training for the 2016 games; she will be 36 years old.

“Why not give what I can give, 100 percent?” she said. “Don’t let age stop you.”

While the average age for an Olympian is 26, there were 187 athletes over age 40 at the London games, including a 52-year-old female rower from Canada.

“Don’t waste time,” said Dot Richardson, who won two Olympic gold medals in softball. “Everyone will fill their time with something, so fill it with productive, meaningful things.” When her sports career ended, she became a doctor.

But most of all these Olympians agree, the best advice: work hard and never give up!

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